Win number 50 will have to wait for the Washington Nationals as uncharacteristic mistakes made late by their bullpen doomed another solid start by Jordan Zimmermann. The Colorado Rockies send the Nats into the All-Star break with 4-3 loss determined by two wild pitches to bring the tying and winning runs home.

Zimmermann took the no-decision after allowing just one earned run, three hits and two walks in seven innings pitched. His only run allowed came on a Wil Nieves sacrifice fly in the second inning.

“I really hate for it to come on [Zimmermann], Zimm pitched a gem. It was hot out there and he gave a jewel out there, a heck of a game. It was one of the few times the bullpen hadn’t done a good job,” manager Davey Johnson said.

“They’ve been doing a great job all year. They’ve been having our backs in some tight situations all year,” Zimmermann said. “This one got away. We gotta move past it and focus on the second half.”

Johnson took Zimmermann out after the seventh inning even though he had thrown only 95 pitches. The Nats skipper said he didn’t even consider bringing his starter back for the eighth because of the heat and humidity. Read more »

Nats lady – all but three of them are older than Bryce. So has anyone seen what happened to the marlins today? Kearns hit a 3 run bomb, Bell blew another save, Hanley punched a fan and needed stitches in his hand. Yes, all in one game. Oh, the drama. Glad we don't have any. Even our team baby made sure he didn't hurt his hand when he erupted.

Are there any guidelines about the rule where each team is represented if their player pulls out late? Ozzie needs more things to be upset about . Right? USA team has scored 15 runs. Only in the 6th. Can't get th out.

MicheleS, I read that line about punching the fan the same way. In part, I suppose, because subconsciously the idea of someone punching a spinning BLADE seemed a lot less likely. But this was Hanley. Yet another stellar talent held back by his brains and character. I still believe the Fish have only now begun to implode. And this is just the early warning signs. Now that the Heat have won a championship, do you think the fans will fill a ballpark for a losing, dysfunctional team? Nah, me neither. Couldn't happen to a nicer owner.

The earlier incarnation of this story referring to Shane Victorino getting mad at being placed seventh in the order and then being scratched by Charlie Manuel is, as they say, no longer operative.That report came from Rob Parent, the sports editor of the Delco Times. After it came out, Charlie Manuel denied it, saying that Victorino was “down on himself” because of poor recent play and that Manuel scratched him for that reason.

For what it's worth, I just read about Hanley punching a fan and, I think because this is Ozzie's team, shouted out that Hanley punch a fan as in person fan. Shoulda kept reading. Had to issue a retraction. I'm trying to tell myself that it's GOOD we only saw Alex briefly. Fast worker, quick outs. That's what we want.

Clip gave the loss a positive spin.I was thinking something similar. If anything the loss will give the Nats renewed focus to deal with the Fish, after the break. Now's not the time for over-confidence.Beyond getting to the post-season, let's get some wins for JZim!!!!

For what it's worth, I just read about Hanley punching a fan and, I think because this is Ozzie's team, shouted out that Hanley punch a fan as in person fan. Shoulda kept reading. Had to issue a retraction.Well, when the Fish hits the fan, it gets on everybody.badabing!

It's the whole run support thing that's frustrating. How can he only have 5 wins?They're wasting his starts. Hopefully, Davey is addressing that by making Zim #1, Gio #2, and Stras #3, and etc. Hopefully, that helps some …

I like Desi's spin on it, the lesson.Today was the day that my husband's colleague and his family attended their first game with us. (They're the ones who over the years would ask me about the team. "Don't they have a bunch of thugs?" or "Don't they really [stink]"? Okay, so maybe they had a point or two back in the day. But that was then; this is now.) Kinda wished we could have shown them a curly w today, but I think they had a good time anyway. I'm gonna miss Nats baseball this week. At least I'll have the All-Star hoopla to watch. (Hey, you take what you can get.)I did like how loud the smallish crowd got in the bottom of the 9th. The kid behind me was exhorting his dad to go into rally cap mode. Dad demurred, but a bunch of us in surrounding seats did go Rally Code Red. Would have been awesome if the guys could have pulled it off. Rest and come back refreshed for the second half.

I saw that, sec3. Great actor, and seemed like a really nice guy as well (although he played a great SOB).On a game note, my fave thing today happened before the game. Jayson Werth was on the field with some other players. He up along the 1B line, doing some stretching. Then he started jumping up and down. Some of the fans started applauding when they saw him. Desi came up to Werth, and removed the cap from Jayson's head, basically doffing his cap for him. We all started cheering louder at that.

Oh, what a nice story. Funny how Jayson won us over even when he wasn't hitting well. I think Nats fans have been sophisticated enough to see the value. So good for Bryce. He is really a true Nat. I bet the Phils kind of miss him about now. Wonder if he will still get booed. He played for them the last time they went deep into the post season.

NatsLady said… The earlier incarnation of this story referring to Shane Victorino getting mad at being placed seventh in the order and then being scratched by Charlie Manuel is, as they say, no longer operative.That report came from Rob Parent, the sports editor of the Delco Times. After it came out, Charlie Manuel denied it, saying that Victorino was “down on himself” because of poor recent play and that Manuel scratched him for that reason. July 08, 2012 7:59 PM ________________________________I know, crazy. I was on all the Twitter fighting this morning. I don't believe Cholly. That clubhouse probably has more in-fighting than a UFC cage match.

“I really hate for it to come on [Zimmermann], Zimm pitched a gem. It was hot out there and he gave a jewel out there, a heck of a game. It was one of the few times the bullpen hadn’t done a good job,” manager Davey Johnson said.______________________________JZim has pitched several gems in a row and had 2 straight wins and amazingly got big run support. Some of the Nats seemed like they were too anxious to get on vacation.JZim obviously could have gone longer in the game and who would have thunk the bullpen would lay an egg.

MicheleS said… Gonat.. have a feeling that Jeter is going to be out of the All Star game after tonight… July 08, 2012 9:20 PM _______________________________You read my mind. He is rubbing his arm and wiggling around like he is hurting. Soon he will have a note from his parent to excuse him from the All Star game.

Sofa.. I wish Desi was going just so we could give him a Standing O from our living rooms. This isn't like Ian, so something has to be up. Either personal reasons or the Oblique is really bothering him more than we think (even though it doesn't show on the field)

Remember with morse, he could hit but not throw? Desi has gotten treatments for a month and obviously he can play but some days it really hurts. It must really hurt for him to pass this up or be afraid of dl time. Sounds like he consulted everyone he possibly could. How much did the nats "suggest" he not go?

Either personal reasons or the Oblique is really bothering him more than we think (even though it doesn't show on the field)He's got a very new family so … you never know do you? I think it has to be pretty important for Desmond to do this given this would be his first time. The oblique probably is a part of it … but as you seem to surmise there may likely be others? Given how easily family stuff distracted the guy last year ??? But not so much this year? Makes you wonder … Desmond does seem to get distracted by that stuff … so …

and not seeing the Nats listed as sellers. Ah, how times have changed!The Nats are going to stay the course … the Orioles are starting to come apart at the seams … as expected. No one expects that of the Nats. And it didn't come from trading prospects for ancient gloves and bats at the deadline as the Orioles seem poised to do. The Nats have plenty of bullets left and to spare, even if I hate it when Rizzo keeps brining up Lannan. Maya pitched well again today and its Zach Duke, the lefty starter representing the Chiefs in the All Star game along with Corey Brown … and they've added third baseman Carlos Rivero. Not bad for a team that had a horrendous start.

baseballswami said… Starting on Friday, JZim is number one in the rotation. Most innings pitched, lowest era. It's the whole run support thing that's frustrating. How can he only have 5 wins? July 08, 2012 8:04 PM _______________________________Last year it was Jason Marquis getting the W's and run support and this year its Gio and Stras.Last year and this year its Jordan Zimmermann not getting the run support and not getting the W's.Why? Jordan's previous 2 starts he got great run support so his RS average is now over 4 but that truly means nothing when you dive into all the 1 run losses.Jordan deserves better than this because he clearly is doing his part, the offense isn't doing theirs.

I would have to look this up, but sometimes I feel that Stras and Gio get the stacked lineup. Then on JZim's day I will look at it and say , O, so Nady is getting a mercy start today. Thanks for that. Probably just fan paranoia but it has crossed my mind a few times that all the stops were pulled out to get wins for the golden two and then the bench players enter on day three.0

baseballswami, while that has certainly happened to JZim that he isn't getting the stacked lineup, the bigger issue is the many times he has received a tired bullpen or the "B" bullpen because the "A" guys worked too many innings the prior 2 games. The same thing has happened to EJax.Stras is coming off TJ so its understandable and many times this year Stras has been the stopper. Gio on the other hand, hasn't gone more than 6 1/3 innings in his last 7 starts and his average innings per start is down to 5.98

Comments on the game from highheatstats.comRockies 4, @Nationals 3: Jordan Zimmermann (7 IP, 1 R) left with a 3-1 lead and a chance to even his record — a reasonable hope for a 2.61 ERA and especially in light of the team’s 40-2 mark when leading after 7. But Colorado tied it in the 8th before the Nats’ lefty tandem could record an out, leveling on a wild pitch by Mike Gonzalez, then went ahead in the 9th in the same wild fashion against Tyler Clippard.That ended a 69-game streak without a wild pitch for Clippard, who averages about 1 a year. And the scoring may be changed; it should have been scored a passed ball — it’s not right to base the decision on the ball having bounced, if the catcher uses awful technique. You can bet that young Jhonatan Solano will be reminded not to stab at a bouncing breaker with a man on 3rd.Rockies won their first series in over a month with their 2nd comeback win of the year starting from the 8th or later.3B Jordan Pacheco sparked the go-ahead 9th with a leadoff double, his first extra-base hit in 22 games. He had been 22 for 73 in that stretch, all singles.Franchise first: Three Nats had 2 steals – Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper and Roger Bernadina. Only once in the past 10 years did they have two players with 2+ steals.Ian Desmond tied the franchise SS record with his 17th HR, a turnaround 2-run shot — the 6th HR in his last 13 games, with 15 RBI 14 extra-base hits.Since homering in his 11th career game (it took dad 39 games), Eric Young had gone 179 games without another tater before connecting off Sean Burnett today.Clippard’s one weakness in years past was the gopher ball, but he hasn’t been touched that way in his last 42 games. He’s 4th-best in SLG allowed and 3rd in OPS among those with 30+ IP.